RN Residency Program

Thank you for your interest in CHOC Children’s as a place to begin your professional nursing career. Our RN Residency Program is a 17 week program with start dates in February, June, and October that is specifically customized to meet the requirements of the new nursing graduate to be successfully transitioned to becoming a professional pediatric nurse. Upon graduation the RN Resident will have successfully accomplished the following:

Deliver safe, independent timely nursing care and practice according to the Nurse Practice Act, Patient and Family Centered Care and CHOC’s policies, procedures and standards of care.

Participate in new opportunities at CHOC to grow both professionally and clinically.

Build a network of professional relationships.

Exemplify the leadership skills gained through the RN Residency Program by pursuing leadership and professional opportunities at CHOC and the nursing profession as a whole.

The following components are in place to assist the RN Resident in successfully completing the RN Residency:

Precepting

One-on-one, hands-on clinical preceptorship with CHOC nurses on the resident’s home unit.

Pediatric Curriculum

The Residency provides a pediatric didactic curriculum that covers all aspects of pediatric nursing. The classes are taught by subject matter experts and provide information that is both current and relevant to the resident’s clinical experience. Presentations incorporate family-centered care, skills lab, critical thinking, case studies, evidenced-based practice, assessments, leadership, professionalism and nursing excellence. A variety of teaching methods stimulates the resident to take ownership of their learning and become active participants. This environment creates the start of lifelong learning.

Mentor Program

The role of the mentor is non-evaluative and separate from that of the preceptor and reflection facilitator. He or she is a supportive person in times of stress and doubt but also provides guidance in the resident’s professional career. They offer expert assistance and support throughout the Residency Program.

“Bear All” Groups

The purpose is to allow the resident an opportunity to express thoughts, feelings and emotions about their experiences during the program in a safe and non-judgmental environment. These experiences include working with a sick child, dealing with families, taking care of a dying child, having a manger that is perceived as non-supportive, preceptor issues, etc.

Looping

Looping provides the resident with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of what a patient from their unit experiences from admission, discharge and follow-up. From observations, participation and completions of objectives, the resident gains a “global view” of CHOC. The resident sees how these areas relate to their scope of practice and are able to meet associates outside of their home unit.

Feedback/Evaluations

The resident is routinely provided with feedback on his/her progress within the program, which is used to assess his/her educational needs and to customize the resident’s experience. The RN Residency department routinely collects feedback from the Residents, directors, managers, clinical nurse specialists, unit educators, preceptors and mentors regarding all aspects of the program to further develop and continue the program’s success.

Frequently Asked Questions about the RN Residency & Fellowship

This is a full time position that requires 68-80 hours per pay period (pay periods are 2 weeks) for the full 17 weeks, including weekends. The hours fluctuate to accommodate didactic and clinical time.

Yes, each resident/fellow follows the schedule of the preceptor. The schedule is provided to the resident/fellow by the unit they work on. The resident/fellow works with the preceptor's schedule with the exception of paid holidays. Upon completion of the program please expect to work every other weekend and major and minor holidays.

Residents/Fellows are expected to attend their classes and follow their preceptor’s schedule. Therefore, any long weekend vacations must be scheduled around class days, as well as the schedules provided by their departments. Flexibility is very important. The leadership and management team will assist the residents/fellows as best as possible to meet occasional scheduling needs.

Residents/Fellows are eligible to request extended vacations once the 17-week orientation period has concluded and they have accrued an adequate amount of PTO to cover their time off.

Number of days varies per week but will be anywhere from 3-5 days per week during the residency. There will be some 8 hour class days and 12 hour days in the unit.

Flexibility is very important. The units and RN Residency staff will assist you as much as possible to meet occasional scheduling needs. Each unit provides a unique educational experience that involves day and night shifts.

Residents/Fellows will continue working full-time and shifts will depend on the units they work in. This is usually decided upon toward the end of the Residency & Fellowship, based on the unit's needs.

Beginning pay for an RN Fellow is the same as a Clinical Nurse II. Your unit manager will have the exact figures and will discuss this with you. Your unit director has the exact figures and will spend time with you discussing your individual pay.

This program is designed for the transitioning nurse with at least one year of acute care experience. Whether it be adults or peds, or reentering the nursing field, this is the program for you. This is a 10 week precepted program. It usually runs concurrently with the RN Residency and the applications are posted at the same time as the RN Residency applications. Positions available in this program are listed as "Clinical Nurse II-Fellowship" in our Current Job Openings listing.BSN degree is required.

How to Apply

Residency and Fellowship positions are listed among our Current Job Openings and are posted in March for our June cohort, July for our October cohort, and November for our February cohort. The positions are normally posted for no longer than two weeks and candidates are advised to monitor our career website and apply if interested. Applicants are limited to 1 unit application per person, so please choose carefully. Applicants will receive an automated email from Human Resources confirming receipt of their application.

Applications are initially reviewed by Human Resources (for application completeness and content and to verify qualifications). The most qualified candidates are then forwarded to the specific department the candidate selected for additional review and consideration. From this pool of candidates, each department will make its selections and will then contact candidates directly to schedule interviews.

Once interviews are complete, the hiring department will select the candidates they wish to hire and make an informal offer. Once positions are filled, applicants not selected will receive an email from Human Resources.